LA Port Strike Risk Pushed to Friday as Labor Talks Continue

The union representing about 250 security workers at the U.S.’s biggest seaports agreed to extend a contract negotiation deadline until midnight Friday, their employers said. With the extension comes a renewed strike threat that could impact operations at several terminals across the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles if no deal is reached. “Negotiations will continue on Friday with the help of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service,” the Pacific Maritime Association said in a statement on Wednesday evening. “PMA remains committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table that avoids disruption at the nation’s two busiest ports.” The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 26 represents watchmen employed at terminals responsible for about more than half of the combined cargo at the Southern California ports, according to the PMA. ILWU Local 26 President Luisa Gratz did not return a request for comment. The PMA, which represents port terminals and ocean carriers, warned on Oct. 27 that ILWU dockworkers and marine clerks — who have separate labor contracts and are not party to this dispute — are expected to stand with the watchmen in the event of a strike. Top photo: Cranes and shipping containers at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, California. Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg. Copyright 2026 Bloomberg. Topics Louisiana Was this article valuable? Thank you! Please tell us what we can do to improve this article. Thank you! % of people found this article valuable. Please tell us what you liked about it. Here are more articles you may enjoy.